Chapter Text
Time has passed
Days, weeks and months
The team has their various duties and most have splintered away from Ramaziths tower. Shadowheart has gone with Aylin and Isobel to the Selûnite enclave near Baldurs gate, spending time with them as well as Scratch and their owlbear companion. Officially adopting them, even. There can be no better owner of those two than the newly rediscovered Selûnite.
Aylin was given back her powers from the crystal that stole it - it didn’t take everything back there, but they never intended to steal it permanently. She and her beloved Isobel are now together in peace.
Lae’zel returned to the astral plane - to her son Xan, and the uprising against Vlaakiths rule. She occasionally lets Shadowheart babysit. Curiously, Amanita left for the astral plane with the gith. She is great at stealth missions, apparently.
Jaheira got a new home in Baldurs gate, since most of her children are still growing and in need of a house and love. She provides the best she can though she can still be a bit absent now and then. She also took in Jenna, who had been staying with Shadowhearts parents as the city was too dangerous while Cazador was still around. The harpers are still active and she’s recruiting a few more, since they’re still too few around here since the Netherbrain adventure.
Minsc is still Minsc, and he stops injustice throughout the city with Boo on his shoulder. They’re still a dynamic duo.
Gale travels to Baldur's gate a lot, working on something with Rolan. But he spends most of his time in Waterdeep with Tara, and he’s now a professor at Blackstaff academy. It’s said that he’s quite thorough and an excellent teacher.
Karlach and Wyll has taken up residence in the city, since Karlach swore off the hells and wants to be near her friends and family. Truly enjoy what life has to offer in general, along with the people she loves. And while Wyll and she takes on some various small adventurer, they never journey too far. Wyll however is in constant contact with the Society of Brilliance, collaborating with them on preventing devils from accessing the mortal realm and making deals. It’s a slow and complicated process, but Blurg and Omeleeum are making progress.
Wyll collaborates with Tav and Astarion with the Society to also somehow deal with the matter of soul coins - the ones in the vaults, eternally suffering. They were unjustly imprisoned there, and they cannot in good conscience leave them there forever. They’re hoping to release or free them, one way or another. But it’s obviously far too dangerous to venture into Mephistopheles' lair to save them all. So it’s still something they’re working out with the Society.
Astarion and Tav found a house home near the outskirt, not too far from the docks. They’ve made it into a home in time, taking care of it and themselves as best they can. There are days when the world can be too much, and there are better days. But they’re dealing with it together, and they’re feeling a little better each time the other one smiles. And they have their nearby friends and support system, in case they ever feel too unsafe.
But the bastard is dead. Truly dead. The “Great and generous lord Szarr” was declared missing at first, then dead as the new owner took over. Some solicitor contacted a relative, and so they’re now in charge of the estate.
They’re not a vampire lord though - they’ve investigated the matter, and after a few threats the new owner has agreed to not abduct people or be cruel. They’re keeping an eye on this man … always. So far, there has been no slip up.
Tav and Astarion miss the sunlight, both of them. But they’re adjusting and have a new normal where they sleep during the day and spend the night together, visiting friends, taking walks or visiting taverns. They visited Halsins last resting place too, since Tav needed to pay her respects. Sometimes they just stay inside. They have eternity to do what they want, but for now they just want to find a sense of calm and recover from their ordeals.
One night Astarion brought Tav to his grave, and he declared that he has a new life. With her at his side and Cazador dead, he feels truly alive again.
They even found intimacy again with one another.
But now, months later - Withers has curiously gathered them all to meet up again on the place that was their first campsite. Everyone attends, and they’re all delighted to see everyone like this. Music, food, dance and more. It was a truly joyous evening, and Astarion taught Tav to dance. She has never been good at it, but that’s part of their fun. He teases her, and they both laugh a little and end it with a little kiss. But it seems she dances better with more booze?
They still end the dance with a small kiss, and now she’s the one teasing him for barely keeping up
The night is fun, endearing and lifts everyone's spirits. As dawn draws near, they need to leave. But as Tav and Astarion walk towards the portal home, Gale catches them. He digs through his pockets, looking for something that he nearly forgot in their revelry.
The wizard gives the two of them a ring each that’s imbued with some unknown magic. The metal is plain, brass and not particularly noteworthy in appearance. Gale of Waterdeep explains what they are:
“Back in Ramaziths tower when Cazador was caught in the trap for Aylin, the jewel took a little bit of his power. Only a fraction, but I’ve been working with Rolan to transfer what little was taken into objects. Specifically these rings. We’ve just been able to do this, and it’s not as much as we’d have liked, but we think you’ll like it anyways.”
Tav and Astarion puts on the rings, listening intently to their friend
“It allows you a few hours of sunlight. Not all day, but about 5 hours of sun resistance per day. It’s a small consolation, but it’s the least you deserve” he says with a smile
Astarion and Tav is at a loss of words at first, then Tav throws himself around their friends shoulders and cries with joy (and there may still be some alcohol involved, but still). Astarion tries to hold back tears, telling Gale “Thank you so much, I …”
He sobs a little, joining in the hug. He doesn’t know how to show the gratitude he’s feeling, but in his slightly intoxicated fog, this is all he can manage.
“Think nothing of it, my friends” Gale insists, and they’re only broken up by Withers who reminds them of their need to leave. The portals will only stay open for them so long. So Tav and Astarion gather themselves, blurt out some more appreciation and thank yous, then head through the portal with a wave.
Once back in Baldur's gate, close to sunrise, they look at each other and smile, hand in hand.
“Want to watch the sunrise, love?” Astarion asks, and Tav nods
“I’d love nothing more than to spend every sunrise with you”